Track and Field is my favorite sport. I ran in high school and one of my favorite yet most challenging events was the hurdles. I ran both the 100m and 300m hurdles. There is a method to properly clearing the hurdle: stride, steps, form, and breathing. As I learned how to properly clear the hurdle, I fell. I fell a lot. Sometimes, I still fell even when I got good at it.
I remember this one particular fall that hurt not just physically but my emotions. I began fully running hurdles my sophomore year and through all of the falls that year I qualified for the North Carolina State Finals for the 300m hurdles. During the second preliminary round going into the last 100m, my knee from my trail leg clipped the hurdle and I fell. I was disappointed. That disappointment could be seen as I slapped the ground … but then … I got up and finished the race.
I was at a defining moment and there was one thing that mattered.
To run the race you must start and if you fall, shake it off. Get up and finish the race. Cross the finish line!
The world watched this same lesson at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The best of the best lined up to compete heat after heat. There was amazing competition. During the semi-finals round, Jeffrey Julmis of Haiti fell on the first hurdle of the 110m hurdles. His lead leg didn’t fully extend to clear the hurdle and his step was off. He crashed into the first hurdle. Oouuch! I imagine that he was disappointed. He worked hard, sacrificed a lot, disciplined his body and mind to be at the Olympics and fell. BUT … he got up and finished the race. He crossed the finish line.
Such great strength and resilience to get up and keep going. Click here to watch Jeffrey Julmis’ race.
Welcome to the Club
I officially welcome you to the Hurdler Club! Yes, YOU!
Now, you may not have been a hurdler in the sport or maybe you were but I am here to tell you that you are a hurdler in life. You are running a race negotiating obstacles (hurdles) as they come. Unlike the race that many athletes run, this race is not a one-time event. It is a race of endurance and perseverance.
I don’t know what you are facing today or will face in the days ahead but I encourage you to run your race with endurance to the expected end. Allow eternity to be the pushing force that propels you over every obstacle in your path.
Run to Finish
Track and Field is an individual sport as well as a team sport. Individually, you are competing for the medal. Subsequently, the team overall are competing for the win.
There is no competition. It’s your race to run at the pace that has been set before you. Hurdlers are sprinters first.
But LayTonia, I’m not a sprinter, you say.
There is a race called the steeplechase that is 3,000 meters for those who go the distance consisting of hurdles to clear throughout the race. Click here to watch the 2016 Olympics Women’s Steeplechase Final.
So whether you are a sprinter or a distance runner, the truth is that …
Life is a marathon with sprints in between.
The beautiful thing in this life is that you don’t have to run this race by yourself.
It is a team effort. A partnership with God through Jesus Christ empowered by Holy Spirit. The heavenly angel army is waiting to assist you in running your race and overcoming every obstacle. There are people surrounding you to help, motivate, inspire, push you. You are not alone.
The promise is not that the race would be easy but that it will be worth it.
The steps of a (good and righteous) man are directed and established by the Lord, and He delights in his way (and blesses his path). When he falls, he will not be hurled down, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand and sustains him.
If you fall, remember that He is holding your hand. So …
Now is not the time to lose heart.
Now is not the time to give up.
Now is not the time to be fearful.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and LOVE and DISCIPLINE.
Get up and keep GOING!
Now IS the time to run with purpose on purpose!
It is the time to run with faith the size of a mustard seed! There is great quality in the mustard seed despite its small size.
Now is the time to run like you were born for such a time as this … because YOU WERE! 😘
Now is the time to believe that you are an OVERCOMER … because YOU ARE! There was bloodshed just for you to walk as an overcomer. Forget not its benefits. Open your mouth and share your testimony.
I challenge you to set your eyes like a flint on the things above in this season. Run your race with endurance allowing God’s hand to hold you up. As an athlete does, discipline yourself spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Don’t look to the left or to the right but keep your eyes fixed on the price, the incorruptible prize that lies ahead and stay in your lane. I challenge you to not pursue those things which are temporal but to be driven by eternity in this season. Your good, good Father is waiting for you to start and to finish strong. Fully trust Him in this season. Trust Him with everything you have. As you trust, as you expect, as you run in faith you shall mount with wings like eagles. You shall run and not grow weary. You shall walk and not faint. In Jesus’ name.
On your mark …
Get Set …
Go! (starter fun fired 🔫)
P.S. Don’t jump the gun and disqualify yourself!
With Love,
LayTonia
P.S., Always Remember …
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